Jennifer J. Russell

Nanocrystalline order of zinc oxide thin films grown on optical fibers

The crystallographic orientation of polycrystalline zinc oxide films grown on optical fibers using single-source chemical vapor deposition (SS CVD) of basic zinc acetate have been studied. The films have been characterized using near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure. For the SS CVD ZnO growth on planar substrates, the film orientation can be varied from randomly oriented to highly c-axis oriented. In contrast, the films grown on optical fibers were either randomly oriented or a,b-axis oriented, depending on growth conditions. The correlations between growth conditions and the crystallographic properties of the films on fibers were discussed. The results suggest that factors such as curvature may have an effect on the crystallinity of film growth.

Dialkylcarbamato magnesium cluster complexes: precursors to the single-source chemical vapour deposition of high quality MgO thin films

Single source chemical vapour deposition (SSCVD) is a useful technique for preparing thin films, offering the simplicity of having all film components contained within the one molecule. However, the molecules currently used for SSCVD of MgO films are inconvenient due to high reactivity or expense. We report here the application of a novel hexameric diethylcarbamato complex Mg6(O2CNEt2)12 (1) as a single source precursor for MgO deposition. This precursor is simple to prepare, and has suitable volatility at moderate temperatures. SSCVD using 1 deposits high quality MgO films at deposition temperatures near 500 °C. Film analysis by XPS, XRD and SEM revealed a low carbon contamination and a film morphology that makes it suitable for use as a buffer layer between substrates and perovskite thin film coatings in electronic device construction.